| Interstate 70 East
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| As Interstate 70 descends into Denver, warning signs such as this one warn motorists and truckers of the downgrade, including slope of descent. There are several signs like this one that are profiled here. Note that eastbound Interstate 70 has a reduced speed limit (55 miles per hour) along this stretch due to the steep descent of the freeway from the mountains down toward the plains. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| This sign is locally famous for its humor: "Truckers, Don't be Fooled - 4 more miles of steep grades and sharp curves." At night, this view can be especially deceptive, as the urban lights of the city mask the actual distance to the bottom of the foothills (not until Exit 260, Junction Colorado 470). Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The next exit along eastbound is Exit 256, Lookout Mountain. This exit connects to U.S. 40, the north frontage road. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| To assist trucks with failing brakes or other troubles, a runaway truck ramp is placed immediately after Exit 256 (Lookout Mountain). Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| Use Exit 256 to reach Mother Cabrini Shrine. According to the official website, Mother Cabrini Shrine was established on the hill to the left of and above Interstate 70 by Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini as a summer camp for orphan children. Mother Cabrini was beatified in 1938, and the property is today a mission that serves the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The shrine is visible to the north of the freeway (off of Cabrini Boulevard via U.S. 40/North Frontage Road). Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| Eastbound Interstate 70 reaches Exit 256, Lookout Mountain and Mother Cabrini Shrine. An emergency call box is available at a park and ride at this exit (similar to the Genesee Park exit park and ride). Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| Now passing under the Lookout Mountain overpass, the final major downgrade to Denver begins. This sign advises of the winding, six percent grade that causes so many cars and trucks to arrive in Denver at a much faster speed than intended. Although the vast plains of Eastern Colorado are visible from this perspective, as well as the Denver metropolitan area, there is still a good distance of descent before the freeway flattens out. This advice is especially important for braking and maintaining a safe speed on this stretch, which is frequently difficult for drivers because of the steep slope of the road. This downward stretch is comparable to northbound Interstate 5 over the Grapevine north of Los Angeles and westbound Interstate 80 entering Salt Lake City. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The runaway truck ramp is just ahead, in another half mile. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| Yet another warning sign indicates that truckers are not done with the downgrade, as there are another 1.50 miles of sharp curves, steep grades, and other safety hazards. Watch for slow moving trucks in the right lane, as they tend to stay clear of the fast moving cars returning from a day of skiing each winter's evening. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The next exit along eastbound Interstate 70 is Exit 259, Junction Business Loop I-70/Colfax Avenue east to U.S. 40 to Golden and Denver. This is the beginning of the lengthy business route through the Denver metropolitan area. In addition, Exit 259 serves Jefferson County Route 93 south (former Colorado 26, which was decommissioned in Jefferson County around 2002) to the Dinosaur Ridge Open Space Park. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| A very popular spot for concerts due to its scenic beauty, the Red Rocks Amphitheater is part of a large park system in Jefferson County. Use Jefferson County Route 93 south to the Red Rocks entrance, just north of Morrison. Colorado 470 is an alternate route to the county route to Red Rocks, but the county route is more direct. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| Since U.S. 40 is technically located on the northern frontage road parallel to Interstate 70 at this point, access may be found to both east and west U.S. 40 from the Exit 259 interchange. Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 40 head east into Golden, and Jefferson County Route 93 (former Colorado 26) heads south toward Dinosaur Ridge. This stretch of Colorado 26 has been decommissioned, and all of the shields have been removed. This may be due to the possibility that Alameda Avenue through Dinosaur Ridge may be closed due to the damage caused by the vehicles passing by the archaeological area. A new interchange at Colorado 470 would be constructed to handle traffic that used to follow this route. U.S. 40 remains separated from Interstate 70 between Exits 259 and 288. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| Eastbound Interstate 70/U.S. 40 meets Business Loop I-70 and Jefferson County Route 93 (former Colorado 26) at Exit 259. it is curious that Business Loop I-70 is unsigned, while adjacent route U.S. 40 is signed. The signage at the base of the ramp shows the business loop as well as U.S. 40 shields. The next exit along eastbound is Exit 260, Junction Colorado 470 southeast to Lone Tree in Douglas County. In addition to acting as part of the Denver belt system, Colorado 470 is the best connecting route to U.S. 285 south, Interstate 25 south, and E-470 east/north to complete a bypass of the Denver metropolitan area. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The right lane becomes exit only for Exit 260, Junction Colorado 470 southeast to Morrison, Bear Creek Park, Ken Caryl Ranch, Highlands Ranch, and Lone Tree. Coupled with E-470 (toll), Colorado 470 offers the only complete bypass of the Denver metropolitan area for through traffic on Interstate 70. For Castle Rock, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Albuquerque, use Colorado 470 south to Interstate 25 south. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| Proving that Interstate 70 is becoming more urban, the mountain curves have gone away, and now there is a mileage sign for the next three exits: Exit 260, Junction Colorado 470 (called C-470 on most traffic reports and news broadcasts); Exit 261, Junction U.S. 6/Sixth Avenue; and Exit 262, Junction Business Loop I-70/U.S. 40, Colfax Avenue. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| Eastbound Interstate 70 reaches Exit 260, Junction Colorado 470. At the time this photo was taken, the exit sign was temporarily removed due to construction. The long descent from the mountains into the metropolitan area ends at this interchange. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The next exit along eastbound Interstate 70 is Exit 261, Junction U.S. 6, Sixth Avenue, one and a quarter miles. The overhead bridges are for Colorado 470. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The next three exits along eastbound Interstate 70 are Exit 261, Junction U.S. 6, Sixth Avenue; Exit 262, Junction Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 40, Colfax Avenue; and Exit 263, Denver West Boulevard. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The right lane becomes exit only for U.S. 6 eastbound; the left three lanes continue east on Interstate 70. Notice that the freeway is still losing elevation as it travels further east. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| Eastbound Interstate 70 reaches Exit 261, Junction U.S. 6, Sixth Avenue. U.S. 6 meets Interstate 70 again here, this time as a freeway. At this point, Eastbound Interstate 70 is headed in a northeasterly direction, and it crosses U.S. 6 as both highways leave Golden. There is no access to westbound U.S. 6 here. U.S. 6 continues as a freeway from this point east into downtown Denver. U.S. 6 will silently rejoin Interstate 70 at the downtown Mousetrap Interchange with Interstate 25. The next exit is for Business Loop I-70/U.S. 40 (Colfax Avenue), which is partially obscured by glare from the setting sun. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The next three exits along eastbound Interstate 70 are Exit 262, Junction Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 40, Colfax Avenue; Exit 263, Denver West Boulevard; and Exit 264, Youngfield Street. The next exit along eastbound Interstate 70 is Exit 262, Junction Business Loop I-70/U.S. 40, Colfax Avenue. Colfax Avenue is also U.S. 40, and the stretch between former Colorado 26 (now Jefferson County Route 93) and Interstate 70 near E-470 is one of the longest urban business loops in the country. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 40 provide the more direct, albeit comparably slower, route toward downtown Denver via Lakewood. Use Interstate 70 to Wheat Ridge and Arvada as well as the connection to Interstate 76 east. Between U.S. 40 and Colorado 58, Interstate 70 angles north, then turns east again toward the Mousetrap Interchange with Interstate 25/U.S. 87. Here, eastbound Interstate 70 meets Colfax Avenue at Exit 262. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The next exits along eastbound Interstate 70 is Exit 263, Denver West Boulevard. Use Denver West Boulevard north to the National Renewable Energy Lab at Camp George West and south to connect to Colfax Avenue. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The next three exits along eastbound Interstate 70 are Exit 263, Denver West Boulevard; Exit 264, Youngfield Street; and Exit 266, Junction Colorado 72/Ward Road. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| Eastbound Interstate 70 reaches Exit 263, Denver West Boulevard. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The next exit along eastbound Interstate 70 is Exit 264, Youngfield Street and West 32nd Avenue. Use 32nd Avenue west to pass the north slope of South Table Mountain and enter downtown Golden near the main Coors Brewing Company. Use 32nd Avenue east to connect to Applewood Village and the city of Wheat Ridge. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The next three exits along eastbound Interstate 70 are Exit 264, Youngfield Street/32nd Avenue; Exit 266, Junction Colorado 72/Ward Road; and Exit 267, Junction Colorado 391/Kipling Street. Photo taken 08/31/04.
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| Eastbound Interstate 70 reaches Exit 264, Youngfield Street and 32nd Avenue. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The next exit along eastbound Interstate 70 is Exit 266, Junction Colorado 72 north, which follows Ward Road into western Arvada. To the south, Ward Road ends at 44th Avenue, which travels east to Wheat Ridge and west to Golden. This interchange is a folded diamond, so the offramp is a partial loop ramp that connects to Ward Road via a short segment of 44th Avenue. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The next exit along eastbound Interstate 70 is Exit 266 for Colorado 72, Ward Road and West 44th Avenue interchange. Note that the exit tab is on the left of the sign, while the exit will be on the right. Generally speaking, most right exits have the exit tab on the right. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| This overpass, which is supported by "V" shaped pillars, carries eastbound Colorado 58 traffic onto Interstate 70. Colorado 58 is a short freeway that connects Interstate 70 with downtown Golden; it ends at the four-way intersection with U.S. 6 and Colorado 93 to the west of downtown Golden. There is no access from eastbound Interstate 70 to westbound Colorado 58. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The end of Colorado 58 is signed with this END shield, as seen from eastbound Interstate 70. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| After traffic from Colorado 58 merge onto eastbound Interstate 70, the freeway reaches the offramp for Exit 266, Junction Colorado 72, Ward Road and West 44th Avenue. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The next exit along eastbound is Exit 267, Junction Colorado 391, Kipling Street. This interchange marks the northern terminus of Colorado 391, which travels south through Wheat Ridge via Kipling Street. The section of Kipling Street that continues north into Arvada is not a state highway. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The next four exits along eastbound Interstate 70 are Exit 267, Junction Colorado 391/Kipling Street south; Exit 269A, Junction Colorado 121/Wadsworth Boulevard; Exit 269B, Junction Interstate 76 east to Fort Morgan; and Exit 270, Harlan Street to Colorado 95/Sheridan Boulevard. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| Eastbound Interstate 70 reaches Exit 267, Junction Colorado 391, Kipling Street. A variety of motels and restaurants are available at this interchange. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The next exit along eastbound Interstate 70 is Exit 269A, Junction Colorado 121; the following transition ramp is Exit 269B, Junction Interstate 76 east to Fort Morgan and Omaha, Nebraska. The interchange between Interstate 70 and Interstate 76 is made a bit more complex due to the access to Colorado 121 (Wadsworth Boulevard). Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The next three exits along eastbound Interstate 70 are Exit 269A, Junction Colorado 121/Wadsworth Boulevard; Exit 269B, Junction Interstate 76 east to Fort Morgan; and Exit 270, Harlan Street to Colorado 95/Sheridan Boulevard. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The right two lanes serve as part of the connection to Colorado 121/Wadsworth Boulevard; the left two lanes become exit only for Interstate 76 east to Fort Morgan. Stay in the middle three lanes to continue east on Interstate 70. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| Eastbound Interstate 70 reaches Exit 269A, Junction Colorado 121/Wadsworth Boulevard. Even with the loss of a lane at this offramp, Interstate 70 remains five lanes wide along eastbound. The freeway will narrow after traffic for Interstate 76 depart. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The next three exits along eastbound Interstate 70 are Exit 269B, Junction Interstate 76 east to Fort Morgan; Exit 270, Harlan Street to Colorado 95/Sheridan Boulevard; and Exit 272, Junction U.S. 287/Federal Boulevard. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| Interstate 70 east splits with Interstate 76 east at Exit 269B. The Western Interstate 76 begins at this point west of Denver, and leads in a northeasterly direction to connect to Interstate 80 near Big Spring, Nebraska. Within Colorado, Interstate 76 parallels the South Platte River, leading to the Eastern Colorado towns of Fort Morgan, Sterling, and Julesburg. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The connection to Interstate 76 from Interstate 70 was under construction until the 1990s, when it opened to traffic. This connection, together with Interstate 270, provides an alternative to Interstate 70 through downtown and the infamous Mousetrap interchange with Interstate 25. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| The next three exits along eastbound Interstate 70 are Exit 270, Harlan Street to Junction Colorado 95/Sheridan Boulevard; Exit 272, Junction U.S. 287/Federal Boulevard; and Exit 273, Pecos Street. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| Use Harlan Street north to Clear Creek Drive and 52nd Avenue, while Harlan Street south serves the Lakeside Mall and skirts the west edge of Mountain View as it travels through eastern Wheat Ridge. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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| Eastbound Interstate 70 reaches Exit 270, Harlan Street. Use the frontage road from this offramp to pass the north edge of Lake Rhonda and connect to Colorado 95/Sheridan Boulevard. About a half mile separates Harlan Street and Sheridan Boulevard, and they parallel each other. After Exit 270, Interstate 70 east departs from Jefferson County and enters the city and county of Denver. South of Interstate 70, Sheridan Boulevard serves as the boundary between the city of Wheat Ridge and the city/county of Denver. Photo taken 08/28/04.
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Page Updated June 22, 2005.
